Whit30

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. I forgot to mention, I was allowed to use these pictures of some else's work when they made the bag using the same pattern.

I am asking for ideas how you would change this pattern. I'm not crazy about the top flap having a plain edge. I am thinking of lacing the top flap all around To incorporate the lacing throughout the bag, would you change the way the side panel's are sewn and rather than the edge going into the purse, would you. Punch lacing holes instead of sewing holes and have the outer edge of the purse and the side panel going towards the outside and lacing it like the top flap? Would you buck stitch the side pannels instead of sewing them? Or any other suggestions on using this basic shape but making it with more of a western flare using lacing. Thank you

What would this book be worth? I have had one for years that is complete that I will not use and would like to sell. Thank you

Beautiful! What is the spacing on your stitching? 3mm? Thank you!

Hello, I've been seeing a lot of people using Crazy Horse leather. Have any of you had experience with this? I see it used on a lot of bags in about 5/6oz. I have some bags I'd like to make along with wallets and portfolios. Would buying a side of this in 5/6oz to start with, be a good option for all of the things listed I want to make? Does it make a good wallet leather and would that 5/6 oz be a good weight for the wallets and portfolios as well as bags? I would be staggering the corners of the wallet pockets to help alleviate some of the bulk. Any tips and experience with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks for the reply!

Does anyone go up to a 6mm stitching iron and in what application do you use it on? Thank you!

Outstanding!

Beautiful!

Thank you all very much for the input and advice. A lot to think about. I want to look at all of the info carefully before any additional questions. Thanks again!

Hello, I want to up my game in the quality of my hand stitching and I am looking at new irons. Is there a difference other than just looks between the straight or angled irons? For the price, I am looking at the French style Crimson Hide irons or SinaBroks. Any suggestions on these or should I look at another? I mainly will be doing wallets, portfolios\notebooks, knife sheaths and a few bags. Would a 4 mm set be a good all around size for these items or would another size be better suited to work for everything since I cannot afford two sets right now. Any suggestions would be very appreciated. Thank you!

Beautiful!

Hello, Is leather paint and edge paint the same? If not, what is the difference? Thank you!

Thank you everyone for all of the tips and advice!

Hello, I have some 2-3oz pre finished French calf side I want to use on wallets, minimalist card wallets and small items. With this being so thin and prefinished, I intend on buying an edge creaser to heat and press groove the thread channel down rather than cut it in. I have looked and read many posted questions about different thread and uses. I will be hand sewing these and if I need, can wax the thread myself. My concerns: wanting the strongest, least fraying thread that will not fray or loose it's strength for years since part of the thread may be exposed to more excessive wear since I cannot channel a groove like I have in other types and thicker leathers on other projects. I also want the thread to be really color fast since I will be using different colored threads and want these to last a very long time. Since I will be needing a smaller diameter thread, would a polyester thread either waxed or non and I would wax it myself if it didn't come pre waxed, be a good choice for me? I will be using several different colored threads for different people so I need a thread that also comes with a good variety of colors. I'd appreciate any advice or tips regarding thread type and size. The leather is 2-3 oz French Calf, fairly waxy and will be used for all parts of the wallets so parts will have several layers. Thank you so much!

Very nice!

Thanks so much!

Thank you for the reply. I won't be splitting myself, I would be paying the supplier to do it. I trying to figure out the usefulness of the bottom half that is split off. Thank you.

Hello I am looking at a discounted (second) leather side. Because these are seconds, any weight is possible to buy for the same price. I am looking at a 2-5 oz to be used for wallet interiors and things. Since it carries from 2-5oz, my thought is to pay the 15.00 and have it all a uniform 2 oz. My question is: does this sound like a good idea and what could the left over split bottom side be used for? Another thought is I can get a thicker side possibly 6-7 oz and have the same 2 oz split to use for the interiors and will have a thicker bottom split. If I did this, what could use the thicker bottom split for? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I am in a new territory with splitting and all. Thank you!

Thanks so much to each of you for your suggestions! And thank you SaddleBags, my wife said she knows where you are talking about. Take care everyone and thanks again!

Hello, I previously had a large scrapped piece of marble for tooling that was nice instead of the usual 12x12 inch but a story short, do not have anymore. Can anyone suggest a cheaper option that I can use/make? Possibly a mix or type of concrete that can be poured and formed with a 2x4 form and obtain a smooth surface on the top? Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Hi everyone, Incase anyone is interested, I have listed Leather Secrets and Design Artistry on the big auction place as a buy it now. My I'd is Whit30 there as well. Thank you!

Apparrntly, the Design secrets is harder to find. Thanks!

I hope this is in the right place to post since it's not an AD for sale yet and will post in the classified section for actual ad. I was going to post my 1977 Leather Secrets and Design Artistry hardback books and could use some advice especially on the Design Artistry book. When looking at the auction site for pricing ideas, I only saw one or two Design Artistry books and they seemed to be asking more for them than the Leather Secrets. Is this normal due to fewer being available or just an over jellous seller? Would you recommend selling as a pair of seperate? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Thanks so much to each of you! The tips were very helpful! Next time I'll post a link or something. I just did not want to break any forum rules. Thanks again to you all!